Bruce Forsyth Retires From 'Strictly Come Dancing' Duties After 10 Years Fronting Show

Sir Bruce Forsyth is stepping down as presenter of the hit BBC1 series 'Strictly Come Dancing' after a decade fronting the show.

He said it was the "right time to step down from the rigours" of hosting the live shows which have become Saturday night ratings winners.

Bruce is dancing away from his Strictly hosting duties after a decade

However he will continue to work on pre-recorded Strictly shows for Christmas and Children In Need as well as one-off BBC specials, and said he will also be performing in theatres.

The future of Sir Bruce, 86, on the show had been a cause of speculation for some months. He had already scaled back some of his commitments, stepping down from the weekly results show and writing occasional rest weeks into his deal with show bosses.

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Bruce Forsyth and wife on the catwalk at the Fashion For Relief Show, Cannes. Part of the 64th Cannes Film Festival.

Bruce Forsyth goes up to the stage to collect his Special Recognition award at the 2011 National Television Awards.

British comedian Bruce Forsyth poses for the photographers with his BAFTA 'Television Fellowship of Bafta' award for his life-long contribution to television.
Date: 2008

Bruce Forsyth is joined by Miss Puerto Rico (left) and Miss England to celebrate his 80th birthday at the Dorchester Hotel in central London.

Entertainer Bruce Forsyth with the bust of himself. The bust has been created by Forsyth's son-in-law Dominic Grant and will take pride of place inside the Cinderella bar, marking the association between the TV star and the 95-year-old venue.
Date: 2005

Comedian Bruce Forsyth performing on stage with crutches.
Date: 1987

Bruce Forsyth performs during the World War II 60th Anniversary Service at Horse Guard's Parade Show.
Date: 2005

Bruce Forsyth and Frank Skinner appearing on the Frank Skinner Show in the London studios.
Date: 2002

Bruce Forsyth in the garden of his Surrey home.
Date: 1998

Bruce Forsyth returns to ITV on Monday 4th September, hosting a brand new series called "Bruce's Price Is Right" he is joined by three assistants, Kimberley Cowell (left) Emma Noble (right) and Emma Steadman.
Date: 1995

The Duchess of Kent received the keys for a mini-bus from television personality Bruce Forsyth. The Duchess, Patron of the charity Age Concern, was given the mini-bus after it was donated in a special stars episode of LWT show 'Play Your Cards Right' recorded for Christmas.
Date: 1985

Entertainer Bruce Forsyth, left, at Madame Tussaud's to see his new wax figure, made by sculptor Jean Fraser.
Date: 1978

Bruce Forsyth getting ready at Her Majesty's Theatre, for his West End appearance as a musical star. With him are Katie Budd, left, and Valerie Walsh, in the cast of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's The Travelling Music Show.
Date: 1978

Not even the Queen Mother could find out who shot JR when Mr Nasty (Larry Hagman) was introduced to her backstage after the Royal Variety Performmance at the London Palladium. With Larry Hagman stands his mother Mary Martin and in the background, entertainer Bruce Forsyth.
Date: 1980

Entertainer Bruce Forsyth dances for joy in a West End street where he announced he is to star in a new musical, The Bricusse and Newley Travelling Music Show.
Date: 1977

Bruce Forsyth, at the piano with Donald Clive, a song-writer, surrounded by show girls.
Date: 1950

Bruce Forsyth rehearsing his new comedy "Birds On The Wing" with June Barry, left, and Julia Lockwood.
Date: 1969

The presenter - who has been in showbusiness since childhood - had also talked in interviews about how he would liked to spend more time abroad to avoid the cold winters in the UK.

Sir Bruce said today: "After 10 wonderful years and 11 series, I believe it is now the right time to step down from the rigours of presenting the Strictly live shows.

"I am very proud of what the show has achieved and confident it will entertain the nation for many years to come. I am also delighted that by presenting the Christmas and Children In Need shows I will continue to have a strong association with Strictly.

"In addition, I am looking forward to the specials planned with the BBC as well as some live theatre shows, so before anyone asks, I am not retiring quite yet."

BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore said: "Sir Bruce Forsyth is one of the great showbiz legends of our time and Strictly's success is due in vast amounts to him. I am so pleased he will continue to be part of the Strictly family and promise viewers that we haven't seen the last of him on BBC1."

Mark Linsey, the BBC's controller of entertainment commissioning, said: "One of the joys of my job is working with Sir Bruce Forsyth and long may that continue.

"He is the all-time master and commander when it comes to Great British entertainers and Strictly owes him such a great deal. This is not a farewell, but you can't blame him for wanting to take things a little bit easier."

'Strictly Come Dancing' will return in the autumn. In recent years it has trashed its Saturday night ITV rival 'The X Factor' in the ratings, but the singing contest is hoping to revitalise its audience by bringing back Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole to the judging panel later this year.

Sir Bruce collected the Broadcast Press Guild award last week for Best Entertainment programme, where he revealed his delight that the most recent series, won by Abbey Clancy, was "the best series ever".